Home Remedies for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis, is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs due to the breakdown of cartilage in joints, which causes the bones to rub against each other.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 27 million people in America have osteoarthritis. It usually develops between age 40 and 60. It primarily affects the weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, spine, feet and back. At times, it may affect the neck and joints in the fingers and hands.

Osteoarthritis is more common among women. Additional risk factors include previous joint injuries, weak thigh muscles, jobs that put excessive stress on a particular joint, bone deformities, obesity, genetics, diabetes, and complications of other types of arthritis.

Symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Common symptoms include joint pain during or after movement, joint stiffness (especially after waking up in the morning), joints feeling tender to the touch, loss of flexibility, a grating sensation in the joints when they are flexed, and bone spurs around affected joints.

If not treated timely, the condition may cause significant disability, leading to knee and hip replacement surgeries. Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes and easy-to-follow home remedies can help you manage the symptoms and lead a pain-free life.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for osteoarthritis.

1. Exercise

Exercise can help you deal with osteoarthritis symptoms. It will help you increase your endurance and strengthen the muscles around your joints. This in turn will improve mobility. Moreover, exercise will help you lose weight.

Try aerobic exercises like walking, biking or swimming for 30 minutes daily 5 times a week.

Do gentle weight training and resistance training a few times a week to build stronger muscles.

Do range-of-motion exercises at least 30 minutes daily.

Avoid high-impact sports, which increase the risk of injury.

If needed, get help from an expert to plan an exercise program that is suitable for your health condition and lifestyle.

2. Hot and Cold Compresses

Prepare a hot compress by wrapping a hot water bottle in a thin towel.

Make a cold compress by wrapping a few ice cubes in a thin towel.

Put the hot compress on the affected joints for 2 to 3 minutes.

Replace it with the cold compress and leave that on for about 1 minute.

Repeat the process for 15 to 20 minutes a few times daily.

Note: Depending upon your condition, you can also use these compresses separately.

3. Massage Therapy

Regularly massaging the affected areas will help reduce the intensity of pain, swelling and inflammation due to osteoarthritis. In addition, massage improves blood circulation and has a soothing impact on inflamed muscles.

Using gentle strokes, massage the affected areas with warm olive oil or coconut oil a few times daily. If massaging worsens the condition, stop doing it.

You can also prepare a massage oil with camphor and mustard oil. Add 10 grams of camphor to 1 cup of mustard oil and heat it on low for 5 minutes. Allow it to cool, then use it to massage the affected areas.

Another option is to mix equal amounts of wintergreen oil and eucalyptus oil and use it to massage the inflamed joints.

As joints become sensitive due to osteoarthritis, be sure to massage gently or go to a professional massage therapist, if necessary.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is also effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Its anti-inflammatory and alkaline-forming properties help reduce pain and stiffness in the joints. Moreover, it helps get rid of toxins stored in the joints.

You can also mix together 1 tablespoon each of organic apple cider vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. Use it to massage the affected joints a few times daily.

Follow these remedies daily until the pain and inflammation are gone.

5. Epsom Salt

Another time-honored remedy for osteoarthritis is Epsom salt. Being a good source of magnesium, it helps reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.

Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to warm bath water.

Soak in it for 20 to 30 minutes.

Repeat 2 or 3 times a week for several weeks or until you get relief from your pain and inflammation.

Note: Those who have kidney problems or diabetes must not use this remedy.

6. Ginger

Ginger is another excellent natural remedy for osteoarthritis. A 2001 study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology found that highly purified ginger extract demonstrated a positive effect in reducing pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Khethiwe Goodness Mgushelo

May B.Vecino

Can you please give us some simple exercises or yoga lessons to reduce knee pain. My Dr told me to lessen my weight, so please give me some yoga lessons or simple exercises to reduce my weight. Thank you so much for all the very informative health tips. I am very grateful to you .